TopicGeneral / Injuries / Tanev moves the puck well and was a tidy plus-10 in 25 games

By winnie888 Date 2012-09-04 12:37 AM

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with linebacker Demorrio Williams, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week. Haloti Ngata Jersey . The 31-year-old Williams played in 12 games last season for Kansas City as a reserve linebacker and on special teams. He is expected to give the Chargers some depth at inside linebacker behind returning starters Takeo Spikes and Donald Butler. Williams, an eight-year veteran, started 13 games and recorded 117 tackles for the Chiefs in 2009 but played behind Derrick Johnson the last two seasons. Ben Roethlisberger Jersey . -- Houstons bench was doing so well that it allowed coach Kevin McHale the luxury of resting his starters on the front end of a back-to-back. Ray Rice Jersey . In exchange Calgary will receive Hamiltons third-round draft pick in 2014. The Stampeders also sent their sixth-round pick in 2014 to Hamilton as part of the deal. Karlos Dansby Jersey . Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker scored against his former side when goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen was powerless to stop his deflected free kick in the 51st minute. "Augsburg deservedly won, they were better. Troy Polamalu Jersey . The way hes stinging the ball, why wouldnt he? "It doesnt come easy," Konerko said. Peyton Manning Jersey . -- A controversial late goal tied the game, and the Winnipeg Jets made the most of it. As part of TSNs countdown to the 2012 NHL Draft, TSN.ca is providing reports for all seven Canadian teams going into the big event on June 22. Our coverage continues with the Vancouver Canucks. General Manager: Mike Gillis Top Draft Position: No. 26 Overall Recent First Round Picks: RW Nicklas Jensen (2011), C Jordan Schroeder (2009), C Cody Hodgson (2008), C Patrick White (2007), RW Michael Grabner (2006), G Cory Schneider (2004). Overview: The Canucks have built a solid foundation with long-time Chief Amateur Scout Ron Delmorme leading the way. Since taking the job in 2000 (after 20 years of working with the team in several roles), his scouting staff has produced gems like Kevin Bieksa (151st in 2001), Ryan Kesler (23rd overall in 2003), Cory Schneider (26th overall in 2004), Alex Edler (91st overall in 2004) and Mason Raymond (51st overall in 2005). And those players have paid off handsomely for the club, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final last season. Where the last few years are concerned, the Canucks have been in wait-and-see mode with their more recent prospects. Since the 2007 Draft, only one pick (Cody Hodgson - who was traded to Buffalo this past spring) has been a regular with the big club and just one prospect - 2011 first-rounder Nicklas Jensen at No. 60 - is ranked in The Hockey Newss annual Future Watch. So while the Canucks are enjoying some success with their current lineup, the need to build up the next crop of NHL-ready players looms large. Short Term Needs: The first thing the Canucks have to do is straighten out their goaltending situation. All sides seem to agree that Roberto Luongo should be moved and thats expected to happen at or before the draft. Restricted free agent Cory Schnieders contract situation also needs to be decided. Given their position in the first round (26th overall), the Canucks will not get immediate help in the draft. Last season demonstrated their need for a second line winger to play with Ryan Kesler and a top four defenceman to play with Alex Edler. Long Term Needs: Jordan Schroeder will get a long look at Keslers second line centre spot to start the season, as No. 17 will be out of the lineup for the first 4-6 weeks of the season (shoulder labrum). If the club cant make make improvements via trade, will Nicklas Jensen get fast tracked to help in the Top 6? So long-term wants can come down to this - if Jensen starts with the big club, they will need an injection of skill in the minor league system. Peyton Manning Jersey. . After those two, the cupboard is pretty bare - especially now with Hodgson gone. Prospect Watch From Scott Cullen: Big Danish winger Nicklas Jensen has been about a point-per-game scorer in two OHL seasons, but hes also fared well in brief call-ups to the AHL over the last couple years, scoring six goals in eight games. Hes only 19-years-old, so last years 29th overall pick can take some time to develop, but has a chance to be a solid contributor. Undrafted defenceman Chris Tanev tends to go under the radar, which happens when you score one goal in two seasons (127 games) of professional hockey, but Tanev moves the puck well and was a tidy plus-10 in 25 games with the Canucks last season, which could be enough to land the 22-year-old a regular turn on the blueline next year. 22-year-old defenceman Kevin Connauton, has scored 24 goals in two AHL seasons (after 24 goals in his final junior season), so hes got the offensive skills. If he continues to improve defensively, hell deserve a look with the Canucks. Lanky Swedish puck stopper Eddie Lack has a .926 save percentage in two AHL seasons, a decent enough indication that the 24-year-old is ready for his chance in hte NHL and it turns out there just could be an opportunity next season. 2009 first-round pick Jordan Schroeder has a couple of AHL seasons under his belt and has become a more complete player, even if hes not likely to be the kind of scorer that might have been expected when he was drafted. 2009 second-rounder Anton Rodin came over from Sweden to play his first year in North America and endured some growing pains, but hes 21, so he has time to improve now that hes adjusted to the game. A fourth-round pick last summer, Joseph LaBate had a decent freshman season in the competitive WCHA and, with time to fill out his frame and develop at Wisconsin, he could have some long-term upside. Patrick McNally, a fourth-round pick in 2010, had a strong freshman year at Harvard. Its not the same as WCHA competition, but if McNally can continue to improve his production, then hell be worth keeping an eye on. Late-blooming 6-foot-5 winger Alexandre Grenier has shown some offensive promise. If he fills out and gets stronger, last summers third-round pick might be able to translate his skills to the pro game. A Czech defenceman who played a couple of seasons in the QMJHL, Adam Polasek got his feet wet in the AHL this season, but could use a couple more seasons of development. ' ' '

TopicGeneral / Injuries / Tanev moves the puck well and was a tidy plus-10 in 25 games